World bronze medalist Takeshi Honda will skip the upcoming Grand Prix figure skating final after injuring his ankle, the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) said Wednesday.
JSF officials said that Honda, who claimed victory at the Four Continents championships earlier this month, hurt his left ankle while practicing in Canada last Thursday and will not compete at the final in St. Petersburg, Russia, from Feb. 28-March 2.
Only the top six ranked figure skaters from the Grand Prix series of competitions are selected to compete at the final. Honda will be replaced by a figure skater from China, JSF officials said.
Last Friday, Yoshie Onda, who has an injured right leg, withdrew from the final in the women's competition.